Monday, November 16, 2015

GAZA
CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces shot and injured two Palestinian
fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip on Monday, witnesses said.

Locals
said the fishermen sustained moderate injuries after being targeted off
the coast near Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza by Israeli naval forces.

An
Israeli army spokesperson told Ma'an that three fishing boats deviated
from the designated fishing area and Israeli forces fired warning shots
in the air, with no reports of injuries.

Israeli
forces have repeatedly opened fire on Palestinian fishermen and farmers
since the ceasefire agreement signed Aug. 26, 2014 that ended a
devastating 50-day Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip.

At least three Palestinian fishermen have been shot dead by Israeli forces since last September.

On Nov. 5, Egyptian military forces shot and killed a Palestinian fisherman off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip.Egypt
upholds the Israeli military blockade on Gaza, keeping borders largely
closed and limiting imports, exports, and the freedom of movement of its
residents.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Palestinian fishermen stand on a boat in the harbor of Gaza City. (AFP/Roberto Schmidt, File)

GAZA
CITY (Ma'an) -- Egyptian military forces shot and killed a Palestinian
fisherman off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday
afternoon, the Ministry of Health in the besieged enclave said.

Ashraf
al-Qidra, spokesperson of the ministry, said Firas Mohammad Miqdad, 18,
from Rafah was shot in the abdomen by Egyptian forces while at sea and
died from his injuries.It is unclear why Egyptian forces opened fire.In
May, Egyptian naval forces opened fire at a Palestinian fishing boat
off the coast of the southern Gaza Strip, injuring a fisherman from
Rafah.Egypt upholds an Israeli military blockade on Gaza,
keeping borders largely closed and limiting imports, exports, and the
freedom of movement of its residents.The threat from
Egyptian forces comes as Palestinian fishermen already face daily risks
in order to make a living, including routine harassment from Israeli
naval forces, confiscation of boats and materials, detention, and
potentially death.

Israeli forces reportedly fired towards
Palestinian fishing boats on a daily basis last week, according to
documentation by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.